LAKE  WINMPESAUKEE 


JULIA  NOYES  ST1CKNET. 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


POEMS 


ON 


BY 


JULIA  NOYES  STICKNEY. 


HAVBRHILL,  MASS  : 
C.  C.  MORSE  &  SON,  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTERS. 


COPYRIGHT. 

JULIA  NO  YES  ST1COTEY. 

1884. 


PS 


PREFACE. 


This  fragment  of  a  collection  of  poetical 
sketches  will  be  followed  by  some  prose-poetic 
letters  recalling  the  delightful  summer  of  1884 
to  some,  who  love  to  linger  by  the  enchanted 
waters  of  Lake  Winnipesaukee,  and  to  many 
who  heard  the  voice  of  song,  and  the  glow 
ing  words  of  truth  in  the  Grove-Meetings. 

I  also  offer  these  few  poetic  pictures  to  those 
who  dream,  of  wandering,  while  on  earth,  "  In 
green  pastures,  beside  the  still  waters."  There 
scenes  of  beauty  dispel  care,  and  moonlight 
and  starlight  shine  on  enchanted  islands. 
There  morning  reveals  forms  of  mountains  and 
forests  by  waters  as  blue  as  the  famed  Medi 
terranean  Sea. 

There  Chocorua  and  Ossipee,  loved  by  painter 
and  poet,  fix  the  beauty-haunted  eye.  There 
many  a  range  and  towering  peak,  with  chang 
ing  form,  charms  the  voyager,  as  he  floats  over 

3 


4  PREFACE. 

the  Lake  of  Dreams,  till,  when  skies  are  crys 
tal  clear  over  the  broadening  title,  the  vision 
of  Mount  Washington  arouses  the  soul.  There 
the  zenith  sun  gilds  the  silver  tide  and  the 
sunset  hour  reveals 

As  fair  a  scene  as  Nature's  God 
Has  spread  upon  this  world  of  light. 

There  from  the  brow  of  "Red  Hill,"  thou 
sands  of  delighted  eyes  have  watched  the  lights 
and  shades  that  symbol 

"  Jerusalem,  the  Golden." 

There  the  late  winter-snows  crown  the  moun 
tains  that  watch  the  coming  spring.  There 
June  throws  over  the  scene  her  ethereal  bridal 
vail,  till  the  lilies  breath  on  the  fragrant  shore. 
There  midsummer  flies  to  soon,  till  the  emer 
ald  ferns  fade  and  the  pine-trees  sing  farewell. 
There  September  colors  the  violet  waters,  till 
October  and  the  Indian  Summer  scatter  their 
crimson  and  gold  over  the  Happy  Hunting 
Grounds,  by  New  Hampshire's  Lake  of  Beauty 
the  crystal  Winnipesaukee. 

JULIA  NOYES  STICKNEY. 
GROVELAND,  MASS. 


LjlKE  WlNl(IPESJlUKEE, 


Ho  ;£ 


/  DEDICATE    THIS   BOOK, 

WITH   THE  STRONGEST   FEELINGS 
OF 

AFFECTION,  RESPECT,  AND  GRATITUDE. 


ON  THE  LAKE  AT  NOON. 

PBELUDE. 

O  the  softness  of  the  azure 

On  this  summer  noon  of  pleasure, 

0  the  tranquil  sky  above  me, 

Sweet  as  smiles  of  those  that  love  me. 

When  my  youthful  years  were  fleeting 
Nature  gave  me  no  such  greeting, 
Save  that  in  the  haunts  around  me, 
Fair  young  Fancy  sought  and  found  me, 

Where,  beside  my  native  water, 
Lonely  child,  obedient  daughter, 

1  was  in  the  garden  playing, 
Never  in  the  wild-wood  straying. 

Time,  the  blessed  reinstater, 
Kept  my  happier  days  till  later : 
Now  I  see  the  leaping  fountains — 
Now  I  climb  the  lofty  mountains. 

Living  by  this  Lake  of  azure, 
Mountain  State,  thy  crystal  treasure, 
Gazing  on  the  sunset-splendors 
When  the  day,  to  night  surrenders, 

7 


PRELUDE. 

Long  I  watch  the  shadows  darkening — 
To  the  far-off  voices  harkening — 
Peering  into  fading  distance 
With  a  longing,  strange  persistence, 

Tracing  many  a  haunted  vision 
In  those  dim,  dream  bowers  elj-sian, 
Where  the  line  that  meets  the  sky-land 
Glows  like  Love's  enchanted  island ; 

Feeling,  when  the  golden  crescent 
Pours  her  glory  evanescent 
O'er  the  mountains,  vast  and  darkling, 
Till  their  purple  heights  shine  sparkling, 

Not  a  shadow  of  regretting 
That  my  sun  of  life  is  setting, 
For  this  land,  in  beauty  vernal, 
Is  a  type  of  the  Supernal. 

JUNE  20,  1884 


APOSTROPHE  TO  THE  BLUE-BIRD. 

SYMBOL   OF   THE   HUE   CELESTIAL. 

The  golden  lights  were  shaded, 

The  misty  sun  shone  darkling, 
And  all  my  landscape  faded 

Where  late  the  lake  lay  sparkling, 
And  the  gray  clouds  veiled  the  azure 

That  paints  Heaven's  arch-way  dome, 
When  thou,  like  a  spirit  treasure, 

Didst  come  from  thy  heavenly  home, 
Waif  of  the  unfading  spring, 
Thou  fair,  celestial  thing, 
Blue-Bird. 

Tell  me  what  gem-paved  regions, 

Clear,  lapis-lazuline, 
Untold  in  fairy  legends 

Sent  forth  a  form  like  thine ! 
The  wide,  blue  sea  shines  duller, 

The  clear  sky  fades  away, 
And  the  sapphire's  quivering  color 
Pales  fast,  like  the  cold  moon-ray 
When  thy  wild-wing  wakes  the  day. 
Blue-Bird. 

For  thou,  through  the  ether  rushing, 
Hast  bathed  in  the  fields  above, 

In  a  fount  cerulean,  gushing, 

That  the  hearts  of  the  hare-bells  love, 

9 


io  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

Then  down  to  the  dark  earth  darting, 
When  the  sombre  storm  draws  nigh, 

Hast  come  to  my  soul,  imparting 
A  dream  of  the  home  on  high, 
A  sight  of  the  blessed  sky. 
Blue  Bird. 

When  thy  ethereal  essence, 

In  thy  first  flight  from  the  skies, 

Plunged  in  the  iridescence 
Where  the  throne  of  Iris  lies, 

In  the  three-fold  blue  careering, 
Thy  wing  was  dyed  so  bright, 

That  the  blue  of  the  rainbow  cheering, 
Came  down  from  the  heavenly  li eight, 
And  strewed  the  land  with  light, 
Blue-Bird. 

Or  comes  thy  hue  from  the  blending 

Of  the  soul  of  all  things  free, 
From  the  sun's  fire-fount,  descending 

To  the  heart  of  the  living  sea. 
A  softened  lustre  lending 
To  the  skies  of  Italy  — 
From  the  zone  where  the  birds  resplendent 

Illume  the  perfumed  lands, 
Where  the  purple  night,  transcendent, 

Darkens  the  Arabian  sands; 

From  the  Mediterranean  islands 
And  the  storied  Grecian  shores, 

Where  on  the  purple  highlands 
The  sun  of  glory  pours, 

And  fair  Diana's  bands 

Bathe  by  the  golden  strands 

With  sea-flowers  in  their  hands, 
Bright  as  thy  azure  wing, 
Thou  ocean-lighted  thing, 
Blue-Bird. 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  n 

Comest  thou  from  the  Arctic  mountains, 

Whose  throne  the  ice -king  gave 
By  the  frozen  rainbow  fountains 

That  light  the  far-off  wave, 

That  unseen  polar  wave 
On  the  lone,  untrodden  shore  — 

Dream  of  the  dauntless  brave 
Who  sails  the  seas  no  more  — 
Whose  spirit  haunts  the  deep . 
Beside  the  silent  steep, 
And  lights  the  ambient  air 
With  dust  of  diamonds  fair ! 
Dream  of  the  living  brave 
That  God  and  nature  gave, 
Back  to  New  England's  heights 
From  the  long  polar  nights, 
With  many  a  trophy,  won 
Beneath  the  midnight  sun, 
Where  violet  hues  enshrine 
A  vision,  all  divine, 
With  living  light  like  thine, 
Blue-Bird. 

Or  did  that  bright  plume  glowing 

Come  from  the  shades,  that  make 
Beauteous,  the  waters  flowing 

In  Winnipesaukee  Lake, 
Where  the  hyacinthine  splendor 

Of  Spring's  imperial  bloom 
Pales,  when  the  Summer's  tender 

Ethereal  skies  illume, 
Bovvers,  where  unnumbered  lilies  pour 
Their  balmy  breath  far  o'er  the  shore, 
Till  a  dream  of  bold  September 

Colors  the  lake,  Elysian, 
Till  the  beauty  of  November 

Brings  back  the  entrancing  vision 


12  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

Of  autumn  moons  on  shining  waters, 
To  the  eyes  of  beauty's  daughters, 
By  the  isles  where  Undine  slumbers 
Lulled  by  low,  eolian  numbers  — 
There  didst  thou,  bird  enchanted, 

Dart  o'er  the  azure  shrine, 
And  gather,  beauty -haunted, 
Beneath  the  hyaline, 
That  wave-lit  hue  of  thine, 
Blue-Bird ! 

When  Liberty,  slow-sailing 

Far  o'er  the  Atlantic's  roar, 
Wide-spread  Columbia  hailing 

On  the  dark  December  shore, 
The  will  of  Heaven  fore-knowing 

The  listening  seraphs  told  — 
Saw  the  tide  of  freedom  flowing 

To  the  sunset  gates  of  gold  — 
Saw  the  glorious  ensign  blowing, 

For  Liberty  unrolled, 
The  shield  wherein  the  stars  were  set, 
By  storm  and  blood  of  battle  wet, 
Beamed  not  so  bright  as  thine 
With  hue  of  love  divine, 
Type  of  the  unsullied  shrine, 
Blue-Bird ! 

When  the  hovering  clouds  are  riven 

And  the  morning  shines  once  more 
With  the  blue  that  symbols  heaven 

Upon  this  earthly  shore, 
When  the  lily -bells  are  glistening 

With  the  tears  of  the  star-lit  night, 
And  my  soul,  transported,  listening, 

Shall  watch  thy  spirit  flight — 
Take  back  from  the  mountain-strand 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  13 

Take  back  to  the  seraph-band 
A  prayer  for  my  native  land, 
Thou  pure,  ethereal  thing 
With  heaven  upon  thy  wing, 
Blue-Bird ! 


THE  WITCH-ISLE. 

Out  on  fair  Winnipesaukee's  tide, 
Beyond  the  verdant  shores  of  Weirs, 

Before  we  reach  the  Wolf  borough  side 
A  little,  rock-bound  isle  appears, 

Where,  shining  in  the  clear  day-light, 
Or  shadowed  by  the  lightning-blast, 

The  Captain  steers  his  prow  aright, 
But  near  the  rocks  she  hastens  fast. 

The  isle  has  changed,  the  phantom-isle 
Where  sirens  lead  him  to  destroy  : 

The  false  ones  'neath  the  wave  would  smile 
To  lure  us  to  their  home  of  joy, 

Beneath  the  wave,  beyond  the  storm, 
Beside  the  treacherous  rocks  to  sleep, 

Where  only  mermaids  slumber  warm 
Within  the  chambers  of  the  deep, 

Where  naiad-music,  'neath  the  stream, 
From  fadeless  fountains  rises  clear, 

And  wakes  a  dim,  enchanting  dream 
To  wile  us  to  the  water-sphere. 


14  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

The  Captain,  with  a  steady  hand 
Turns  from  the  changing'  reef  away. 

When  next  he  sails,  the  phantom-land 
Wears  some  new  aspect  with  the  day. 

While  minstrel-songs  with  softest  swell 
Float  far  along  the  listening  shore 

Till  echoes  of  some  sunken  bell 
Recall  the  buried  shrines  of  yore. 

But  o'er  the  water's  silver  tide 

Where  Beauty's  gleams  forever  smile, 

The  Captain  will  his  voyagers  guide 

From  this  strange  wile,  the  wild  Witch-Isle. 
JUNE,  1884. 


THE  RAINBOW  ISLAND. 

Far  o'er  the  fair  azure,  where  clouds  without 
measure 

Lie  low  on  the  line  of  the  soft  swelling  blue, 
Where  morn  will  awaken  the  lilies,  balm-shaken, 

Behold  a  new  island,  spread  out  to  the  view, 

O'erhung  with  pure  color,  with  shading  no  duller 
Than  the  fountains  of  youth  in  the  southern 

sea-islands, 

Where  Iris  now  lingers  with  gems  on  her  fingers 
That  light  up  the  air  on  the  pearl-shadowed 
highlands. 

No  raindrops  come  sparkling  from  shadow-clouds; 

darkling, 

Transfused  by  Apollo  to  diamonds  impearled; 
No    foam-bells    ascending,    with    sun-rays    are 

blending 
To  wreathe  with  a  rainbow  the  visible  world. 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  15 

No  cataract  falling  o'er  caverns  appalling 

Throws  up  its  clear  emeralds  where  Undine 

still  slumbers, 

To  be  woven  by  sunlight,  or  frozen  by  moonlight, 
For  a  choir  where  the  sirens  can  sing  their  wild 
numbers. 

Yet  an  island  of  vision,  ethereal,  elysian,  [tals 
Far  out  o'er  the  silver,  unclosed  its  pearl-por- 

That  memory  may  borrow  new  joy  for  the  morrow 
And  the  Spirit  may  picture  the  homes  of  im 
mortals. 


SHOWERS   AROUND  LAKE  WINNIPE 
SAUKEE. 

We  sailed  the  lovely  lake  once  more 
When  noontide  lent  a  fervid  ray  ; 

The  sun-beams  lit  the  emerald  shore, 
White  clouds  illumed  the  blue  of  day. 

Ere  long  the  steel-clad  waters  rolled 

Where  winds  the  rippling  current  stirred, 

And,  flying  past  the  strands  of  gold 
Low- winged  the  arrowy  prophet-bird. 

For  shadows  o'er  the  heights  arose 
And  sun-rays  hid  in  clouds  unfurled 

Save  where,  like  crags  of  Alpine  snows, 
The  zenith-clouds  were  light-impearled. 

Far-off  the  northern  skies  hung  low 

Though  Orient  realms  were  light-embowered 

We  saw  the  dark-winged  storm-cloud  go 
Where  Ossipee  in  grandeur  towers. 


16  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

The  Raphael-sky  of  varying  blue 

Smiled  on  the  rain-swept  Sandwich-dome  ; 

Gem-paved  Chocorua  hid  from  view 

Where  northern  gales  were  hastening  home. 

And  here  and  there  along  the  shore 
Meadows  of  gold  and  sapphire  shone, 

As  Eden-suns  their  diamonds  pour 
On  life's  unfading  fountain-throne. 

Then,  lit  by  drops  of  jewels  bright 

That  gemmed  the  purple  mountain's  crest, 

Old  Ossipee,  in  calm  delight, 

Wore  rainbow  colors  on  his  breast. 

Fast  sped  the  bark  through  siren-waves, 
Glad  gazed  the  voyagers,  rapture-wild, 

For  Beauty  robed  the  mountain-caves, 
And  all  the  snowy  vapors  piled 

Where,  from  the  eastern  chambers  bright, 
Shone  clouds  of  pearl,  all  sun-beam  riven, 

Till  Iris  flung  the  arch  of  light 
Across  the  lake-reflected  heaven. 

AUGUST,  19,  1884. 


THE  THREE-FOLD  BLUE. 

The  blue  above  the  clouds  so  calmly  sailing 
Is  crystalline  as  on  a  morn  of  May  : 

Long  have  our  eyes  looked  heavenward,  unavail- 
To  see  such  pure  cerulean  deck  the  day. 


LAKE  WINNIPESA\JKEE.  17 

Hail  hyaline,  thy  wind-swept  dome  of  azure 
Shines  on  unnumbered  eyes  upturned  to  thee ! 

Art  thou  the  realm  of  Summer's  latest  pleasure 
Or  of  the  advancing  Autumn,  bold  and  free  ! 

Thou  sea-bine  lake,  a  dream  of  fair  September 
Mingles  thy  flood  with  amethystine  dye, 

Deepening  the  softer  hues,  that  we  remember 
Imperial  Juno  gave,  when,  wandering  by, 

She  spread  her  vail  of  hyacinthine  splendor 
Over  the  sky,  the  lake  and  mountain-steep, 

Hues  like  the  hill-side  violet,  soft  and  tender 
As  infant's  eyes  when  they  awake  from  sleep. 

Thou  gem-blue  mountains,  where  the  shadows 
ranging, 

Chased  by  the  gales  of  high,  ethereal-air 
Make  pictures  of  the  clouds,  forever  changing, 
Like  Nature's  soul  that  shines  forever  there  ! 

So  ever  varying  is  the  land  of  vision, 

When  dreams  half-picture,  in  the  star-lit  night 

The  sapphire-fountains  and  the  bowers  elysiaii 
Of  kingdoms  fading  in  the  morning  light. 


THE  LAKESIDE  MIRROR. 

There  is  a  glass,  like  Nature,  fair, 
Transparent  as  the  blue  lake  near, 

Which,  framed  by  mountains  clothed  in  air 
Reflects  the  changing  atmosphere  — 

The  Lakeside  mirror,  decked  with  flowers 
That  light  the  sylvan  forest  wild, 

The  picture  of  the  summer  hours 

That  lure  the  steps  of  Nature's  child. 


18  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

There  glow  the  wild-rose,  perfume  sweet, 
The  fair  clematis,  virgin's  bo\ver, 

The  daisy,  white  beneath  our  feet, 

And  that  bright,  sea-blue  gentian  flower. 

There  shine  the  ferns  of  emerald  clear 
That  light  the  cool,  sequestered  glades, 

When  warblers  hail  the  morning  near, 

From  whispering  pine  arid  hemlock  shades, 

Lit  by  the  golden-rod,  whose  light 

Tells  that  young  Summer's  days  are  o'er, 

Though  many  a  morn  shall  waken  bright 
On  Winnipesaukee's  mountain  shore. 

But  fairest  on  the  mirror-frame 

Shines  forth  the  beauteous  water-star, 

Whose  breath  from  snowy  islands  came, 
Borne  by  the  morning  breeze  afar, 

While  butterflies  on  diamond  wings 
Reflect  the  ethereal  colors  there, 

Caught  from  the  hues  that  Iris  brings 
When  sun-bright  rainbows  gem  the  air. 

And  there,  amidst  the  rose's  bloom 
Is  seen,  the  wild-bird's  well-filled  nest, 

Where  all  day  long,  with  sweet  perfume 
The  waiting  mother  will  be  blest. 

These  pictures,  with  an  artist-hand, 
Our  Lady  of  the  Lakeside  placed, 

To  shadow  forth  the  lovely  land 

That  Nature  with  her  presence  graced. 

And  here,  through  Summer's  season  bright, 
Till  Autumn  makes  the  forest  shine, 

The  clear  glass  mirrors  forms  of  light 
And  smiles  of  cheer,  from  love  divine, 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  19 

Where  words  are  said  and  songs  are  sung 

And  hopes  arise  to  fade  no  more 
And  farewells  tremble  on  the  tongue 

Upon  this  dear,  delightful  shore, 

Unfading  as  the  Lakeside-grove 

That  shades  the  paths  forever  green, 

Bright  as  the  sparkling  eyes  of  love 
That  gaze  upon  this  sylvan  scene. 

So  shall  the  Lakeside  mirror  shine 
With  memory's  light  from  far  around, 

Reflecting,  from  this  crystal  shrine, 

The  pictures  of  the  Enchanted  Ground. 

LAKESIDE  HOUSE,  WEIRS,  N.  H.,  AUG.  19,  1884. 


NIGHT,  HASTENING  FROM  THE  LAKE. 

Was  it  the  soul  of  night 

That  charmed  my  rapturous  sight, 
Or  coming  morn,  entranced,  beyond  the  wave  ! 

The  crescent  moon  shone  clear 

The  ethereal  atmosphere 
Was  pure  with  breezes  that  September  gave. 

Orion  led  the  band 

That  lit  the  shadowy  land  ; 
The  royal  planets  shone  on  golden  throne, 

And  all  the  adoring  stars 

Illumed  their  crystal  bars, 
Till  darkness  fled  and  splendor  reigned  alone. 


20  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

The  auroral,  boreal  arch 

Shone  as  in  skies  of  March, 
That   southern   skies   might   shadow  back   the 
gleams, 

Vicing  with  Dian  clear 

And  diamond-dawning,  near, 
And  twilight  suns  o'er  Scandinavian  streams. 

I  saw  the  mountain-lake 

The  living  picture  take, 

Till  glowed  the  heavens  with  light,  translucent 
clear, 

That  no  man's  hand  may  trace, 

Imperial  halls  to  grace,  [near. 

As  earth's  grand  dream  till  opening  heaven  draws 


CHOCORUA  VEILED. 

Scatter  the  haze  and  let  me  see 
Thy  form,  Chocorua,  ere  I  go  : 

Fair  Juno's  vail  has  hid  from  me 

A  mountain  shrine,  that  painters  know, 
Above  the  blue-lake's  flow. 

For  in  the  halls  of  beauty's  bloom, 
And  in  the  city's  picture -shrine, 

Thy  bowers  of  sun  and  shade,  illume 
With  emerald  and  with  crystalline, 
A  vision  half-divine. 

There  amethystine  shadows  lie 

When  snowy  clouds  their  circuit  take ; 

There  Summer  smiles,  with  golden  eye, 
On  thee  and  on  the  crystal  lake 
Beyond  the  wood  and  brake. 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  21 

When  late  in  June's  consummate  time 
I  wandered  where  the  pine-trees  sing 

Harmonious  with  the  wild-bird's  chime, 
Where  oft  the  oriole  darts  his  wing 
While  oaks  their  branches  fling, 

I  saw,  when  gliding  o'er  the  wave, 

The  forms  of  mountains  wild  and  grand. 

I  traced  their  changing  forms,  and  gave 
My  memory  to  each  pictured  strand    < 
In  this  enchanted  land. 

I  saw  the  lurid  lightnings  play 

Above  the  stream  in  gleaming  gold, 

Painting,  now  Luna  is  away, 

The  lake,  with  flaming  castles  bold, 
And  lands  by  legends  told. 

But  O,  Chocorua,  let  me  see 

One  hour,  thy  sun-illumined  crest, 

That  round  the  curve  of  Ossipee 
Looks  down  upon  a  land  of  rest, 
Like  Vale  of  Tempe,  blest ! 


«  SLOW  UP  THE  SLOPE  OF  OSSIPEE.' 

—  Whittier. 

O  what  a  stretch  of  wonderland, 

Old  Ossipee ! 
A  height  uprising  from  the  strand, 

I  faintly  see. 

Clothed  in  the  lilac  light  of  June, 

The  woodland  steep 
Is  sleeping  in  the  summer  noon, 

Ere  breezes  sweep, 


22  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

Along  the  bright  lake's  silver  swell, 

Scattering  the  haze 
That  hides  the  rock  and  forest-dell 

From  mortal  gaze, 

Save  that  a  line,  in  cloud-land  high, 

Marks  Ossipee  — 
A  rampart  bold  that  seeks  the  sky 

When  winds  blow  free. 

Haste,  noon  of  June,  and  let  me  view 

That  sylvan  height, 
As  once,  when  autumn-skies  were  blue 

With  crystal  light, 

I  saw  the  crimson  and  the  gold, 

A  picture  fair 
Of  late  September,  wide  unrolled 

In  spkndor  there, 

Till  crowned  Chocorua,  peering  round 

One  view  to  take, 
Looked  down  upon  enchanted  ground 

And  sapphire  lake. 

O  then,  some  tuneful  naiad  came 

From  yon  clear  stream, 
And  sung  of  one  beloved  name, 

To  haunt  my  dream. 

With  his  own  songs,  who  oft  is  charmed 

By  this  loved  hind, 
Beholding,  with  a  soul  encalmed, 

This  Beulah  bland, 

While  not  a  passion-ripple  moves 

His  spirit  clear, 
To  whom  the  Eternal  Goodness  proves 

A  shield  from  fear ; 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  23 

Who  dreams  of  his  own  Merrimac 

With  vision  free, 
And  sings  its  bold  and  beauteous  track 

Down  to  the  sea, 

And  life's  long  journey,  past  the  grove 

And  mountain-shrine, 
Guided  by  Nature's  heart  of  love 

To  realms  divine. 


BROAD  ARE  MY  LANDS. 

Broad  are  my  lands  for  all  the  earth  is  mine, 

The  living  air,  the  azure  dome  above, 
The  emerald  forest  and  the  lonely  shrine, 
From  mountain-top  to  the  far  border-line 

That  veils  the  realms  of  light  and  life  and  love. 

The  morn  is  mine,  from  its  first  diamond  glow 
When  stars  shine  pale,  and  Luna  slumbers  blest 

Upon  Hesperian  fields  of  verdure  low, 

Till  glad  Aurora  wakes  the  world  from  rest 

With  roseate  glow,  like  Monte  Rosa's  snow. 

The  noon  is  mine,  when  from  the  zenith  glows 

The  sun,  resplendent  on  his  golden  throne, 
When  zephyr  o'er  the  stream  a  soft  spell  throws, 
And  bears  the  breath  of  lily  and  of  rose 
To  cheer  the  oriole  on  her  nest  alone. 

The  sunset  hour  is  mine,  when  rivers  shine 
With   pure   gem-light,  borrowed   from  every 

strand, 

When  summer  evening,  pure,  transcendent  fine, 
Gathers  the  colors,  far-off  and  divine, 

That  light  the  pearl-gates  of  the  spirit-land. 


24  -LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

The  night  is  mine,  when  mortals  slumber  still, 

Save  poet-seer,  and  sons  of  pain  and  strife, 
Whose  souls,  the  dreams  of  those  pearl-portals  fill 
With  hopes,  that  from  the  woes  of  earth  distil 
The  pure  elixir  of  immortal  life. 

Nature  is  mine,  upon  the  sapphire  sea, 

Or  in  the  heart  of  cataract-lighted  woods, 
Or  where  the  purple  highlands  guard  the  lea 
And  smiling  lawn,  from  northern  tempest  free, 
Or  in  the  thunder-echoing  solitudes. 

The  homes  of  men  are  mine,  where  love  is  kind, 
Where  children  smile,  and  pictures  light  the 
walls 

Almost  as  fair  as  those  once  more  outlined, 
When  memory,  vanished  youth,  in  joy  recalls 
To  gaze  on  her  enchanted  vision-halls. 

And  hope  is  mine  that  in  some  glorious  hour, 
Beyond  the  broad,  cerulean  sea  of  time, 

My  rapturous  spirit,  winged  with  rising  power, 
Shall  hear  the  bells  of  heaven  their  welcome 

chime 
From  mountain-tops  of  that  supernal  clime. 


GERMAN  MUSIC  BY  THE  ORPHEUS 
BAND. 

Late  unto  the  lone-lake  coming, 
Now  that  Summer  shines  no  more, 

While  the  wild-bees  cease  their  humming 
And  the  woodland  songs  are  o'er, 

When  the  evening,  still  and  darkling, 
Hovered  o'er  the  moonless  sky, 

Ere  the  planets,  grand  and  sparkling, 
Rose  in  orient  regions  high, 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  25 

Waiting,  dreaming,  calm  and  lonely, 
Soon  I  heard  low  music-strains, 

Calling  love  and  memory  only, 
From  the  far-off  vision  plains, 

Till  the  notes  ascended  louder 

From  a  glad,  a  kindred  band, 
Pouring  patriot-paeans,  prouder 

Of  the'grand  old  Fatherland  — 

Songs  of  joy,  heroic  numbers, 

Triumph-tones  of  hero-strife, 
Songs  of  love,  that  never  slumbers 

Through  the  tangled  paths  of  life. 

Then  the  strains,  my  heart  to  waken 

To  the  minor  chord  of  tears, 
Told  of  silent  souls,  forsaken, 

Sorrowing  through  the  lingering  years  ; 

Of  a  soldier,  bravely  bearing 

Midnight  vigils,  dungeon-chains, 

Ere,  the  patriot's  armor  wearing, 
Free,  he  gains  the  German  plains. 

While  I  heard  the  wild-notes  swelling, 

With  my  spirit  borne  along, 
Nature's  beauty-haunted  dwelling 

Rose  in  picture  with  the  song, 

And  the  lake  of  emerald-islands, 
Where  the  jewelled  mountains  rise, 

Mirrored  all  the  moon-lit  highlands 
And  the  star-illumined  skies. 

Then  the  south-wind,  softly-sighing, 
Bore  the  music  o'er  the  plains, 

Where  the  mountains,  low  replying, 
Echoed  all  the  eolian  strains, 


26  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

Till  the  pines,  in  plaintive  numbers 
Joined  in  every  music-swell, 

Sighing,  now  that  summer  slumbers, 
Fairest  land,  farewell,  farewell. 


EVERLASTING  REMEMBRANCE. 

When  long  ago  in  days  of  youth 
I  placed  my  willing  hand  in  thine 

And  brought  my  joy,  my  life,  my  truth, 
And  my  foud  heart  to  Hope's  fair  shrine, 

Into  the  garden,  lone,  I  stole, 

While  orange-buds  my  hair  perfumed, 

Where  grew,  to  cheer  my  faltering  soul 
A  flower  that  long  in  song  has  bloomed. 

The  years  have  fled  and  visions  now 
Recall  fond  youth's  enchanted  hours, 

When  the  lone  amaranth  decked  my  brow 
To  shade  the  ephemeral  bridal-flowers. 

Now,  by  this  beauty-haunted  shore, 
Where  all  the  bells  of  memory  chime, 

Perennial  shines  that  hue  once  more, 
A  dream  of  that  transcendent  time, 

For  thou  these  sylvan  paths  hast  trod, 
And  climbed,  to  view  from  yonder  height, 

As  fair  a  scene  as  nature's  God 

Has  spread  upon  this  world  of  light. 

The  rose  of  June  illumes  the  land, 
The  lily  lights  the  perfumed  air, 

But  I,  for  one  who  clasped  my  hand, 
Will  still  the  unfading  amaranth  wear 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  27 

So  near  unto  my  faithful  heart, 

That  none  shall  see  how  dear  to  me, 

Though  lost  to  sight  and  far  apart, 
My  early  love  shall  ever  be. 


INFANTS'  TEARS,  OR  BABIES'  BREATH. 

Infant's  tears,  the  tiny  flowers, 
Type  of  innocence,  heart-sweet, 

Quivering  with  the  dewy  showers, 
Soft  as  babies'  feet  — 

Feet  that,  white  as  daisy -blows, 
Never  touched  the  earthly  sod, 

Spotless  as  the  lily-snows 
By  the  fairies  trod. 

Infants'  tears,  so  quickly  drying 
Where  no  sad  remembrance  lingers, 

Like  the  drops  of  jewels  flying 
Flung  by  Iris-fingers. 

Babies'  Breath  !  How  wondrous  still 

In  the  sleep  of  beauty  calm, 
Breathing  love,  while  angels  fill 

All  the  air  with  balm. 

Spirits  guard  the  infant's  rest 

When  they  press  the  cradle  bed ; 
White-winged  cherubs  bathe  the  breast 

Of  many  a  blessed  slumberer,  dead, 
With  pearls  of  tears,  that  turn  to  flowers 
To  clothe  the  immortal  babes  of  ours, 
When  their  pure  souls,  the  seraphs  bear 
Through  the  empyreal  fields  of  air 
Up  to  the  gates  of  prayer. 


28  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

THE  CLOUD-CHILD. 

I  saw  the  Empress  of  the  night, 
Majestic,  mount  the  evening  sky  ; 
She  bathed  the  earth  in  splendor  bright, 
The  heavens  with  gold  and  silver  dye, 
And  every  star  due  homage  gave 
While  trembling  on  th'  ethereal  wave. 

I  saw  the  fleecy  clouds  of  snow 
Sail  from  the  north,  the  south,  the  west, 
To  catch  one  ray  of  jasper  glow 
From  regal  Dian's  diamond  breast ; 
One  little  cloud,  the  faintest  there, 
Was  to  my  raptured  eye  most  fair. 

It  floated  on,  the  form  grew  clear, 
It  was  the  image  of  my  boy, 
Slow  sailing  through  the  heavenly  sphere 
On  wings  of  wild,  seraphic  joy ;  — 
Away  from  me  and  toward  the  skies 
He  turned  his  love-illumined  eyes. 

Near  by  th'  enamored  moon  he  flew, 
A  halo  lit  his  golden  curls  ;  — 
Along  the  soft,  celestial  blue 
He  sought  the  sunset  gate  of  pearls, — 
The  angels  oped  the  crystal  bars 
And  bade  him  pass  beyond  the  stars. 

I  sought  my  baby  in  his  bed, 
He  slept,  as  sleeps  a  sinless  child,          . 
He  felt  my  tears  upon  his  head, 
•     Unclosed  his  hazel  eyes  and  smiled, 
Then  clasped  his  hands  upon  his  breast 
And  hied  him  to  his  blissful  rest. 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  29 

But  oft  I  dream,  by  night  and  day, 
That  angels  call  my  only  one, 
And  bring  him  wings  to  fly  away 
And  lead  him  up  beyond  the  sun, 
Far  from  a  household,  hushed  and  lone, 
Up  to  the  everlasting  throne. 


COMPENSATION. 

I  never  trod  a  rock  so  bare, 

Unblessed  by  verdure-brightened  sod, 
But  some  small  flower,  half-hidden  there, 

Exhaled  the  fragrant  breath  of  God. 

I  never  knew  a  day  so  drear 
But  on  its  leaden  sky  was  hung 

Some  shadow  of  a  rainbow  clear 

From  vanished  joy  in  farewell  flung. 

I  never  sat  where  Silence  kept 
My  soul  from  loving  friends  afar 

But  angel-wings  the  ether  swept 
Between  me  and  the  evening  star. 

And  never  in  the  keenest  pain, 

When  Night  looks  down  on  anguish  wild, 
Can,  "  O,  my  Father,"  rise  in  vain 

From  the  lone  spirit  of  his  child. 


ELLEN  TERRY,  AS  PORTIA. 

Embodiment  of  grace ! 

The  perfumed  wayside-rose 
Lights  thy  ethereal  face 

Where  the  pure  lily  glows  ; 
Thy  voice,  as  Echo  sweet,  the  cliff-bound  lake 
let  knows. 


3o  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

Like  Ellen  Douglass  fair 

With  eyes  of  gem-deep  blue, 
Whose  step,  through  summer  air 

Light  o'er  the  heather  flew 
When  from  the  mountain-flower,  she  dashed  the 
diamond-dew. 

When  winter-blasts  were  blowing 

Thy  beauty  lit  the  shrine  ; 

Pearls  on  thy  bosom  glowing 

Shadowed  the  light  divine 

Of  sun-bright  hair,  that  crowned  that  royal  brow 
of  thine. 

Who  comes  in  vesture-red, 
Arresting  murderous  hands, 

By  high  compassion  led 

And  laws  of  Venice-lands ! 
A  form  as  fair  as  thine  in  courtly  presence  stands. 

"Tis  thee  —  thy  task  is  done 

And  Portia's  name  is  known  ; 
Sweet  Mercy's  cause  is  won 

And  love  resumes  her  throne, 
As  morning  lights  the  day,  when  dark-winged 
night  has  flown. 


SUNSET  SPLENDORS. 

Whence  those  colors  golden 

On  the  sunset  wave, 
Blending  with  the  olden 

Hues,  that  seraphs'  gave 

To    Raphael's   soul   sublime,   and    Angelo    the 
brave ! 


LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE.  31 

• 
When  on  Patmos  Island, 

He,  whose  love  is  sung, 
Saw  a  heavenly  highland, 

O'er  whose  height  was  flung 
Hues  that  arose  to  light  when  vaporous  worlds 
were  young, 

All  the  jewelled  splendor, 

Every  sunlit  gem, 
Shone  with  a  radiance  tender 

In  the  pure  pearl  diadem 
Of  her,  the  bride  of  Him,  who  rules  Jerusalem. 

Now  that  lustre  shining 

Lights  the  earthly  stream, 
Man  is  half  divining 

How  the  diamonds  gleam 

On   those  far,  fadeless  shores,  that  haunt  the 
poet's  dream. 

And  perchance  the  angels, 

All  our  longings  learning, — 
Blessed  love  evangels, 

Answering  our  deep  yearning, 
Unclose  the  twelve  pearl-gates  to  light  us,  home 
returning. 


LAND  OF  IPSWICH. 

Land  where  once  my  Alma  Mater 
Lured  my  footsteps,  year  by  year, 

Now  my  soul,  in  life  far  later, 

Flies  to  memory's  haunted  sphere. 

Thou  my  rapture  still  shalt  waken, 
Olden  town,  forever  young  ; 

There  I  am  not  yet  forsaken 

By  fond  Youth,  with  silver  tongue, 


32  LAKE  WINNIPESAUKEE. 

For  my  teachers,  love  beguiling, 
Walk  the  earth,  from  sorrow  free  — 

Land  of  Ipswich,  ever  smiling, 
Fair,  enchanted  ground  to  me. 

Still  flows  on  thy  silver  river 

Winding  through  the  woodland  green, 

And  the  zenith-sunbeams  quiver  . 
Where  my  comrades  once  were  seen, 

In  the  hall,  by  care  unclouded, 
Lit  by  love  and  beauty  bland  — 

Now,  in  midnight  vigils,  crowded 
With  a  band  from  Eden-land. 

Alma  Mater !  in  a  vision 

All  thy  sacred  haunts  appear 

And  the  olden  days,  elysian, 
Gild  life's  radiant  sunset-sphere. 

Land  of  Ipswich,  still  I  love  thee ! 

From  the  hills  thy  spires  are  seen 
With  an  aureole  above  thee, 

Lighting  all  thy  living  green. 

Echoes  wander  o'er  thy  highlands 

From  celestial  lands  afar  ; 
Once  again  the  enchanted  islands 

Mirror  back  Hope's  morning  star, 

Where  by  life's  eternal  fountain, 
On  the  pearl -enshadowed  shore, 

We  shall  gaze  from  Zion's  mountain 
On  the  loved  forevermore. 


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